Dewey Brown - Traditional Fiddle

(Dew Bug DB06-338) 2006

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The first of Dewey's two 'solo' CDs with the Clinch Mountain Boys, this album was recorded in 2006 at Maggard Studios in Big Stone Gap, Va.

Although mainly a fiddle album, Ralph is featured singing lead on Cotton Eyed Joe and tenor on Wings Of Angels; whilst Dewey sings lead on Ralph's Lost, I'll Never Find The Way and Heaven's Light Is Shining On Me.

Of the instrumentals, Katy Hill and Fire On The Mountain are both tackled at a frenetic pace, with the band locked into a tight musical groove, providing subtly varying backing, whilst the fiddle is played with gusto and precision. Dewey is obviously a master at 'old-time' fiddle, but equally is at home with the 'bluesy' slow waltzes (Lonesome Moonlight Waltz) and sweet western swing tunes (Bob Wills' version of Maiden's Prayer and Faded Love).

On Down Yonder and Bill Monroe's Lonesome Moonlight Waltz Dewey and James Alan Shelton mainly take turns playing breaks on fiddle and guitar. James is also featured with a mandolin break on I'm Lost, I'll Never Find The Way and, although Steve Sparkman is mainly confined to back-up, he does get occasional breaks on a few numbers (Cotton Eyed Joe, Lost, I'll Never Find The Way and Down Yonder).

Dewey may be a listenable although average singer, but boy can he saw that fiddle! As Ralph Stanley hollers during Cotton-Eyed Joe: "Go get 'er Dew Bug!"

• Dewey Brown: fiddle, vocals
• Jack Cooke: bass
• James Alan Shelton: guitar, mandolin
• Steve Sparkman: banjo
• Nathan Stanley: mandolin
• Dr. Ralph Stanley: vocal(*)

NB: (*) lead vocal on Cotton Eyed Joe and tenor on Wings Of Angels

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